Fibre board container



Sept. 22, 1964 w, A s 3,149,769 FIBRE BOARD CONTAINER Filed Nov. 9, 1961 s Sheets-She et 1 Willjam R. Davis BY m ATTORNEY INVENTOR.

Sept. 22, 1964 w. R. DAVIS FIBRE BOARD CONTAINER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 9, 1961 INVENTOR. William R. Davis ATTORNEY Sept. 22, 1964 w. R. DAVIS FIBRE BOARD CONTAINER 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 9, 1961 INVENTOR.

William R. Davis 1x75:

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ATTORNEY United States Patent Filed Nov. 9, 1961, Ser. No. 151,3i97 filairns. (Cl. 229-17) This invention relates to a fibre board container, and is more particularly concerned with a pouring spout for fibre board containers.

In the past, many pouring spouts have been devised for cardboard or fibre board containers, the spouts being formed by cutting and scoring the blank of the container in various ways. Some of the prior art spouts have been produced at the upper corner portion or top corner so as to fold outwardly and thereby produce a V-shaped spout. In such prior art devices, usually the spout portion is produced entirely on the flaps, thereby providing a spout which, after the container is righted, requires manual closing of the spout. This procedure, of course, is time consuming.

The prior art devices of the general type here discussed usually utilize a score line between a panel and its flap for the hinge line of the spout. This arrangement naturally results in a spout which has a tendency to leak when fully opened, since the inner end of the sliding spout portion substantially aligns itself with the upper edge of the container. Such prior art devices are also relatively complicated to manufacture, having blanks which do not nest well in side-by-side relationship so as to be produced from a minimum of board.

Briefly described, I have devised a fibre board container which overcomes the disadvantages mentioned above wherein a V-shaped top spout is provided, the spout being produced from three interrelated plies formed by regis tering portions. The spout thus formed is spaced inwardly from the edge adjacent which it is hinged and front plies provide a naturally formed waterproof pocket for the sliding portion of the spout. The blank of the spout is so proportioned as to be suitable for nesting side-by-side with other similar blanks to provide a rectangular board and thus may be mass produced with a minimum of board.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fibre board container and a spout which may freely slide into a pocket in the container, the pocket rendering the spout essentially leak proof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fibre board container and a spout which, when the box is righted, will be in a closed condition and therefore requires no separate closing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fibre board container having a spout which may be opened only to a preseselected position and will not readily pass beyond this preselected position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a container with a pouring spout formed therein, the spout being protected from contamination when the container is originally filled and closed and may be readily opened without the fingers of a person engaging the surface over which the contents of the container will pass when being discharged from the spout.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a container with a spout, the container being formed from 3,l4,7fi Patented Sept. 22, 1964 a blank which will readily and easily nest in side-by-side relationship with other similar blanks.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a container with a pouring spout which is easy to manufacture, durable in structure and eificient in operation, the container lending itself well to mass production.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a container constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a modified form of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partially broken away, of the device shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded fragmentary view of the container shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the container shown in FIG. 1, the protective cover over the spout being removed therefrom.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of one form of blank which is employed to produce the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of another form of blank utilized to produce a container similar to the container of FIG. 1.

Referring now in detail to the embodiment chosen for the purpose of illustrating the present invention, it being understood that in its broader aspects the present invention is not limited to the exact details herein depicted, numeral 10 denotes generally a fibre board blank which is cut and scored as indicated in FIG. 6. The blank 10 is scored vertically to provide a back panel 11, and a pair of side panels 12 and 13 which are respectively joined to the back panel by vertical score lines 14 and 15. Connected to the side panel 13 along vertical score line 16 is the front panel 17, While connected to the side panel 12 along vertical score line 18 is a front flap 19. The score lines 14, 15, 16 and 1% are spaced parallel to each other so as to define a plurality of rectangular body panels 11, 12, 13 and 17 which, when the container is righted, form the sides of the tubular member seen in FIG. 1.

With further reference to FIG. 6, it will be seen that a plurality of bottom flaps 26, 21, 22 and 23 extend downwardly respectively from the panels 11, 12, 13 and 17. The bottom flaps 20, 21, 22 and 23 are separated by vertical cuts 24, 25 and 26 arranged in parallel spaced relationship as extensions of the score lines 14, 15 and 16. A transverse score line 27 extends across the blank so as to intersect the ends of cuts 24, 25 and 26 whereby the flaps 2t 21, 22 and 23 may be folded to form the bottom of the container in the usual way.

At the upper portion of the blank 10 there is provided a second transverse score line 28 which is parallel to score line 27. Above the score line 28 are the top flaps 30, 31, 32 and 33. Vertical parallel cuts 34, 35 and 36 separate the flaps 30, 31, 32 and 33 in a manner similar to the separation of the bottom flaps 20, 21, 22 and 23. In more detail, the cuts 34, 35 and 36 are aligned with and are extensions of the score lines 14, 15 and 16, the cuts 34, 35 and 36 being parallel to each other and extending outwardly from the transverse score line 28. Above the flap 19 is a cut 37 formed as an extension of score line 28,

:3 the cut 37 commencing at the score line 18. As an extension of the score line 13, there is an upwardly extending score line 38 which defines the outer side edge of the flap 39 and separates the flap 31 from an outwardly adjacent fiap 39 located above the panel 19. An adjacent edge of the fiap 39 is defined by the cut 37.

It is now seen that the rectangular body panels 11, 12, 13, 17 and 19 are in side-by-side relationship while the bottom flaps 20, 21, 22 and 23 are also in side-by-side relationship below the body panels. Likewise, the flaps 3t 31, 32 and 33 are in side-by-side relationship above the body panels.

The blank is essentially rectangular while the various flaps are preferably square, with the exception of panel 19. To form the panel 19, the rectangular blank is cut irregularly so as to eliminate the lower left hand corner of the blank and hence eliminate any bottom flap extending from panel 19. In more detail, the lower edge 46 of the panel 19 is formed by a transverse cut, intermediate the ends of the body panels, the cut extending only partially across the panel 19 so as to provide below the body of panel 19 a flange 41 adjacent the score line 18, the flange 41 extending downwardly from the cut 40 and terminating in a transverse cut 42 aligned with the score line 27. Thus, the flange 41 and the panel 19 are integrally joined adjacent their score line 18.

According to the present invention, the upper left hand corner of the back top flap 3%) is cut away so as to provide an arcuate edge 43, leading from the outer edge 44 of flap 30 to the side edge thereof defined by cut 34. The arcuate edge 43, therefore, defines an open quadrant at the outer corner of flap iii). In like manner, the upper right hand corner of the upper side fiap 32 is cut away to provide an arcuate edge 45 leading from the outer edge 46 of flap 32 to the edge defined by cut 36. Thus, edge 46 defines an open quadrant which, when the box is folded together, is in registry with the quadrant defined by edge 43.

For registering with the quadrants previously described, the flap 31 is provided with a quadrant shaped perforation which includes a straight intermittent cut 47 parallel to and spaced above the score line 28. The cut 47 extends essentially perpendicular to the score line 38 and terminates at about the center line of the flap 31. From the inward terminus of the intermittent cut 47, an arcuate cut 43 is provided which curves inwardly around toward and intersects the score line 38, above the intermittent cut 47, utilizing the intersection of the score line 38 and the intermittent cut 4'7 as a center. The intermittent cut 38 extends slightly beyond the score line 38 and into the flap 39. Thence, there is an intermittent cut 49 which extends parallel to the score line 38 and then inwardly toward the score line 38 to provide a tab 50, the purpose of which will be described hereinafter. Along the score line 38 is an intermittent cut 51 which joins the intermittent cut 47 and the tab 50. Thus, a disposable cover 5?; is provided for the spout. Referring now to the front panel 17, it is seen that a somewhat triangular shaped cutout opening 53 is provided therein. This opening is a right triangular member having an arcuate concaved hypotenuse so as to define a convexed outer edge for a spout side 55 at edge 54, the side 55 being formed entirely within and spaced inwardly from the side edges of panel 17. In more detail, the spout side 55 is joined to a spout side 56 along a common edge 57 defined by the score line 28. The outer edge 58 of spout side 56 merges with the outer edge 54 of spout side 55 at the common edge 57, the two sides 55 and 56 forming quadrants respectively whereby the edges 54 and 55 are defined by a semi-circular cut having a center along the score line 28 which separates the front flap 33 and the front panel 17.

It will be observed that the center for this out which defines the edges 54 and 58 is spaced inwardly from the outer edge 60 of the flap 33, the inwardly spacing of the center being slightly greater than the spacing between score line 28 and intermittent cut 47. Extending perpendicular to the score line 28 and parallel to the outer edge 60, commencing at the center, is a straight score line 61 which terminates at the end of the cut producing edge 58. Below the score line 28 is a cut 62 which is offset toward the edge 69 from the score line 61. The cut 62 extends downwardly beyond the lowermost portion of the edge 54 and then extends inwardly and upwardly to join the end of the edge 54- and thereby define a stop 63. It is now seen that the spout side 55 is entirely within a U-shaped pocket now formed as opening 53 while the spout side 56 is entirely within the flap 33.

After the blank 1 has been cut and scored as described above, it is ready for partial assembly so as to be in a flat shipping condition. This partial assembly is accomplished by simply folding the left and outer portion of blank 10 inwardly along score line 14- and then folding the right hand out portion of blank 10 inwardly along score line 16. Therefore, panel 17 overlaps panel 19 and the two are adhered together, being careful that no glue is applied in the area of the U-shaped pocket or opening 53. It is preferable, when partial assembly is effected, that flap 39 overlie fiap 33 to provide for a more ready righting of the container. The container is now ready for shipping to the user.

When the user intends to fill the container, the partially assembled container is righted by pressure against score lines 14 and 16 which now form the outer edges. Next the bottom closure is formed by folding flaps 2t) and 22 inwardly and then folding flaps 21 and 23 inwardiy, adhesive being applied to secure the overlapping portions of the respective fiaps together. It will be understood that substantially any form of bottom closure may be employed and that the bottom flaps 2t), 21, 22 and 23 are illustrative of but one form of bottom closure which could be employed.

With the assembly thus far, the container may now rest upon its bottom in an upright condition so as to be fed by a conveyor (not shown) for filling in the customary way. When filled, the open upper end of the con tainer is closed by folding the upper flaps as follows, it being understood that fiaps 39 and 33 are opposite each other and that flaps 31 and 32 are opposite each other.

Either flap 343 or 32 is first folded inwardly to form the lowermost ply, and the other of the two flaps is folded thereover. Next the spout defining flap 33 is folded over the flaps 3t) and 32 and the cover defining flap 31 is folded over the flap 33 with the fiap 39 being folded downwardly over and covering the upper portion of panel 17. Adhesive secures the contiguous surfaces of the various flaps together and flap 39 to panel 17, it being understood that no adhesive is applied to flap 39 in the area of the pocket or opening 53; and, in the present embodiment, no adhesive is applied between cover 52 and spout side 56.

It is now seen that the panels 19 and 39 cover the opposite sides of opening 53 so as to provide a sealed pocket which opens upwardly only. Within this pocket is the spout side 55. The spout side 56, on the other hand, is now arranged perpendicularly to the spout side 55 and is disposed at the upper end of the container, the cover 52 overlying the spout side 56 with the tab extending down along the front surface of the box as illustrated in FIG. 1. The edge 43 or 45 of the flap 36 or 32, whichever is immediately below flap 33, is inwardly of edge 58 of spout side 56 and therefore defines a ledge or stop which prevents inward movement of spout side 56 beyond the horizontal.

When it is desired to open the container shown in FIG. 1, the cover 52 is torn away by inserting a fingernail into the intermittent cut 49 so as to lift the tab 50. This produces a container such as illustrated in FIG. 5. Thereafter, the spout may be opened by urging a persons fingernail against the exposed portion of spout as seen in FIG. 5, lifting the V-shaped spout so as to pivot the spout about the score line 61 which forms a hinge line.

As the spout is moved upwardly in an arcuate path about score line 61, spout side 55 slides within its pocket and the outer surface of the spout sides 55 and d may be grasped sufficiently to complete the opening of the spout, at which time the stop 63 is brought into engagement with the flap 33 to limit the opening movement of the spout. At this stage, the spout is entirely upright and the lower portion of the spout side 55 essentially closes the pocket formed by opening 53 and the surfaces of the flap 19 and flap 39. It will be understood that the spout may be readily closed to the position shown in FIG. 5, when desired.

In the modified form of the present invention as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the cover 52, if desired, may form a means for opening the spout. To accomplish this, the intermittent cut 47 is converted to a score line or hinge line 147 and an additional score line 148 is provided parallel to and spaced from the score line 147 on the cover 52. In this embodiment, the top closure is formed as previously described, except that that portion of the cover 52 lying between the score lines 147 and 148 is adhered by means of adhesive 149 to the registering portion of the spout side 56. It is now seen that when it is desired to open the container, the tab 50 is lifted as illustrated in FIG. 2 and the lift fiange portion 150 of cover 52 is bent upwardly along score line 148 so as to provide an area by which the cover 52 may be grasped. The portion 150 is then urged upwardly in an arcuate path so as to open the spout. The spout may be closed by a reverse procedure.

With reference to the blank illustrated in FIG. 7, this blank is essentially identical to the blank shown in FIG. 6 except that the panel 117 which corresponds to panel 17 in FIG. 6 is cut away at its midportion to provide a lower edge 140 and a downwardly extending flange 141 adjacent the score line 116. In this case, the panel 119 is rectangular and carries a bottom flap 123. The blank 100 is righted in essentially the same manner as the righting of the blank 10, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many variations may be made in the embodiments chosen for the purpose of illustrating the present invention without departing from the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a fibre board container, a plurality of overlapped top plies, a plurality of overlapped side plies, at least one of which is joined to one of said top plies, there being provided a V-shaped spout having a first spout side cut from the joined one of said top plies and a second spout side out from the joined one of said side plies, said spout sides being joined along a common edge, one of said spout sides being joined to its ply along a hinge line perpendicularly to said score line and spaced inwardly from the corner of said container, at least two of said side plies being flat against the ply containing the second spout side on opposite sides of said second spout side to define with the ply containing the second spout side a pocket for receiving said second spout side, and there being provided a cover in one of said plies overlying the hinged spout side, adhesive joining said side plies on opposite sides of said second spout side for sealing all edge portions of said pocket, except the uppermost edge portion thereof, and adhesive joining said cover to said hinged spout side, said cover being hingedly secured to its ply along a hinge line in registry with the hinge line of said hinged spout.

2. In a fibre board container, a plurality of panels including a back panel, a pair of side panels joined to said back panel and a front panel joined to one of said side panels, said panels being initially in side-by-side relationship and separated by score lines, top flaps extending respectively from the upper ends of said panels, said flaps being folded inwardly over each other to form a top for said container, the top flap of said front panel being cut and scored to provide a first spout side joined thereto by a hinge line spaced inwardly from and parallel to one edge of said top flap, said front panel being cut to define a second spout side joined to said first spout side at the junction of said top flap and said front panel, said second spout side including a stop for limiting the outward movement of said second spout side upon pivoting of said first spout side outwardly about its hinge line, another of said flaps being cut to define a cover in registry with said first spout side, a pocket defining flap extending from the edge of another of said flaps and folded over said front panel, and a panel connected to said other of said side panels for underlying said front panel and secured to said pocket defining flap and said front panel for defining a pocket closed on all edges except the upper edge for said second spout side.

3. In a fibre board container, a plurality of panels including a back panel, a pair of side panels joined to said back panel and a front panel joined to one of said side panels, said panels being initially in side-by-side relationship and separated by score lines, top flaps extending respectively from the upper ends of said panels, said flaps being folded inwardly over each other to form a top for said container, the top flap of said front panel being cut and scored to provide a first spout side joined thereto by a hinge line spaced inwardly from and parallel to one edge of said top flap, said front panel being cut to define a second spout side joined to said first spout side at the junction of said top flap and said front panel, said second spout side including a stop for limiting the outward movement of said second spout side upon pivoting of said first spout side outwardly about its hinge line, another of said flaps being cut to define a cover in registry with said first spout side, a pocket defining flap extending from the edge of said another of said fiaps and folded over said front panel, a panel connected to the other of said side paneis for underlying said front panel and secured to said pocket defining fiap and said front panel for defining a pocket for said second spout side closed on all edges except the upper edge thereof and adhesive joining said cover and said first spout side.

4. In a fibre board blank cut and scored so as to define, when assembled, a container having a plurality of panels including a back panel, a pair of side panels joined to said back panel and a front panel joined to one of said side panels, said panels being in side-by-side relationship and separated by score lines, top flaps extending respectively from the upper ends of said panels, there being transverse score lines separating said fiaps and said panels, said flaps being foldable inwardly along said score lines over each other to form a top for said container, the top flap of said front panel being cut and scored to provide a first spout side joined thereto by a hinge line spaced inwardly from and parallel to one edge of said top flap, said front panel being cut to define a second spout side joined to said first spout side at the junction of said top flap and said front panel, a panel extending from the other of said side panels and a flap extending from the flap of the other of said side panels, said last mentioned panel and said last mentioned fiap being adapted for positioning on opposite sides of said second spout side when said blank is assembled.

5. A fibre board blank cut and scored so as to define, when assembled, a container having a plurality of panels including a back panel, a pair of side panels joined to said back panel and a front panel joined to one of said side panels, said panels being initially in side-by-side relationship and separated by score lines, top flaps extending respectively from the upper ends of said panels, said flaps being folded inwardly over each other to form a top for said container, the top flap of said front panel being cut and scored to provide a first spout side joined thereto by a hinge line spaced inwardly from and parallel to one edge of said top fiap, said front panel being cut to define a second spout side joined to said first spout side at the junction of said top flap and said front panel, said second spout side including a stop for limiting the outward movement of said second spout side upon pivoting of said first spout side outwardly about its hinge line, another of said flaps being cut to define a cover in registry with first spout side, a pocket defining flap extending from the edge of said another of said flaps and folded over said front panel, still another of said flaps being cut to define a ledge for limiting the inward movement of said first spout side, and a panel connected to the other of said side panels for underlying said front panel to define with said pocket defining flap and said front panel a pocket for said second spout side.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Cavanagh Dec. 12, 1905 Wright Dec. 1, 1908 lager Apr. 26, 1910 Zalkind Aug. 22, 1922 Read Jan. 21, 1936 Spalding Oct. 12, 1937 Silver Oct. 9, 1962 

3. IN A FIBRE BOARD CONTAINER, A PLURALITY OF PANELS INCLUDING A BACK PANEL, A PAIR OF SIDE PANELS JOINED TO SAID BACK PANEL AND A FRONT PANEL JOINED TO ONE OF SAID SIDE PANELS, SAID PANELS BEING INITIALLY IN SIDE-BY-SIDE RELATIONSHIP AND SEPARATED BY SCORE LINES, TOP FLAPS EXTENDING RESPECTIVELY FROM THE UPPER ENDS OF SAID PANELS, SAID FLAPS BEING FOLDED INWARDLY OVER EACH OTHER TO FORM A TOP FOR SAID CONTAINER, THE TOP FLAP OF SAID FRONT PANEL BEING CUT AND SCORED TO PROVIDE A FIRST SPOUT SIDE JOINED THERETO BY A HINGE LINE SPACED INWARDLY FROM AND PARALLEL TO ONE EDGE OF SAID TOP FLAP, SAID FRONT PANEL BEING CUT TO DEFINE A SECOND SPOUT SIDE JOINED TO SAID FIRST SPOUT SIDE AT THE JUNCTION OF SAID TOP FLAP AND SAID FRONT PANEL, SAID SECOND SPOUT SIDE INCLUDING A STOP FOR LIMITING THE OUTWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID SECOND SPOUT SIDE UPON PIVOTING OF SAID FIRST SPOUT SIDE OUTWARDLY ABOUT ITS HINGE LINE, ANOTHER OF SAID FLAPS BEING CUT TO DEFINE A COVER IN REGISTRY WITH SAID FIRST SPOUT SIDE, A POCKET DEFINING FLAP EXTENDING FROM THE EDGE OF SAID ANOTHER OF SAID FLAPS AND FOLDED OVER SAID FRONT PANEL, A PANEL CONNECTED TO THE OTHER OF SAID SIDE PANELS FOR UNDERLYING SAID FRONT PANEL AND SECURED TO SAID POCKET DEFINING FLAP AND SAID FRONT PANEL FOR DEFINING A POCKET FOR SAID SECOND SPOUT SIDE CLOSED ON ALL EDGES EXCEPT THE UPPER EDGE THEREOF AND ADHESIVE JOINING SAID COVER AND SAID FIRST SPOUT SIDE. 